Tina Kakadelis
Pete Davidson has proclaimed that “fun, early-2000s, old-school” action comedies are back with the Eddie Murphy-led film, The Pickup. It’s no wonder Davidson made this claim, as he plays a role in the upcoming film as well. Murphy and Davidson play Russell and Travis, two armored truck drivers with very different approaches to the job. Murphy’s Russell is a by-the-book man, whereas Davidson’s Travis is flying by the seat of his pants. Their day is knocked off course when their truck is ambushed by a team of criminals led by Zoe (Keke Palmer). The Pickup is a bad day that just keeps getting worse for Russell and Travis, but a never-ending source of comedy for the viewers.
The Pickup will be released worldwide on Prime Video on August 6. Film Obsessive News Editor Tina Kakadelis was invited to attend a virtual press conference with Murphy, Davidson, Palmer, and director Tim Story.
While The Pickup may remind Davidson of the 2000s, Murphy says it feels like an ’80s flick to him. He would know. Murphy arguably ruled the ’80s comedy scene with films like Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, and more. The Pickup sees him taking a more restrained role as straight man to Davidson’s jester. It’s a fun change of pace to see Murphy in this light, and director Story touched on why it was so special to have him be part of the film.
“I’ve spent a little bit of my career trying to chase [Eddie] to do a movie with him,” laughed Story. “Then you see him with Pete and it’s the pairing you didn’t realize you needed and then you see them together. Then you add Keke and it’s just a bag of riches.”
The Pickup allowed Palmer and Davidson to work side-by-side with someone they grew up idolizing. When asked how it felt to share scenes with her comedy idol, Palmer answered simply, “It was a dream come true. I was just observing and watching him the whole time and just seeing how he…”
Palmer was cut off by Murphy, unable to resist a quick joke. “I felt that,” he quipped. “Just always taking little peeks at me.”
“I was happy,” Palmer continued, “because I asked him his favorite movie he’s ever done and his answer is also my favorite movie of his – The Nutty Professor. He made those characters real. Working on The Pickup prepared me for One of Them Days because I got to watch a masterclass of him continuously playing the truth. Every improvisation, every joke. The situation was the comedy, and he always knew how to add to it in just the right way.”
As with all comedies, some jokes inevitably end up on the cutting room floor. The Pickup is no exception, but everyone seems to agree that it was mostly Davidson’s ad-libs that won’t see the light of day.
“I was saying some foul shit,” laughed Davidson. “Some of it’s in there!”
The burden fell on Story and the editors to determine which jokes would ultimately make it to the ears of the audience. Comedy is difficult to manage. You have to be ready to slash jokes you love if they’re simply not working. Luckily, Story understands that jokes control the edit.
“I’m a slave to the comedy rules. You put it together, if it works and an audience laughs, you keep it,” Story explained. “If it doesn’t work, we get rid of it. That’s what’s fun. What’s great about Eddie, Pete, and Keke is that they’re very surgical. Once they lock into what makes the scene work, they just give you more of that.”
